by tascha |
How do you store your lids?
This is my ‘everything’ cupboard. It includes all plastic storage containers, baking dishes, plastic picnic plates, salad spinner, casserole dishes, hand mixer, and standing on the side are my cupcake pans and cookie sheets [hiding].
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containers are stacked by shape
circle, square, rectangle |
And then came the day when my lid drawer became a sippy cup/snack bowl drawer [when we had child # 3 on the way]. I tried to put all my lids in one container to sit in the cupboard-did not work. I may have tried some other ideas but really have no recollection of what they were-just that they didn’t work either.
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the shelf is only half the cupboard
(normal, I think) |
Enter:
$Tree ‘garment bags’
I had bought a couple packs since they were 2/$1,
and I was trying to get baby SOCKS under control [still working on that one]. And every time I opened this cupboard, I saw the door… and this wasted space above my bowls.
Something ‘clicked’ !
[in my head]
Some nails tapped in just enough to stay,
and I have lid holders. Attached to the doors. I can see into them, and crumbs can fall through [cuz who doesn’t have crumbs falling off the counter?]. And if they aren’t quite dry when they are put away… well, you know.
And they are sorted just as the stacks of bowls: one side is circles and the other side is square/rectangle.
by tascha |
Do you have a friend who could use an encouraging note? Did someone do something nice for you- or your child?
Why not make a note custom-chic with a unique envelope.
And your children can help!
Take an old calendar — or any pretty paper!
something with really cool pictures
Open an envelope you have and trace it
{or you can find a printable template HERE}
and cut a template. Score the dotted/folded lines,
Fold in the sides & add glue. Fold up the bottom to stick to the sides.
Allow it to dry for a few minutes [depending on the glue type used].
Add a letter [handwritten are the best!]; or write directly on the paper if it’s not an old calendar 🙂
Fold over top and glue or sticker it closed.
front view of unfolded template
This kind of envelope can dress up even a piece of notebook paper ‘card’…
and it’s ready for a stamp!
Let’s hit those mailboxes with some REAL mail!!
And teach our children how to write a letter!
linked up at
Raising Homemakers
Our Simple Country Life
by tascha
inevitably, you are saying “NO” to another. {and vice versa}
This is a principle my preacher has taught… If you say “yes” to God, you are saying “no” to the world. If you say “yes” to the world, you are saying “no” to God.
That is just the way it goes.
You cannot have both.
when I said “yes” to him…. I said “no” to ALL others!
really.
you can’t.
I will leave you with this last thought (which is actually the thought that started this for me-lol): Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. {written to the church at Ephesus, as a reprimand}
In the margin of my Bible I have written: left: a conscious decision NOT an accident.
This church was not doing their good deeds out of love for their Lord. It had become tradition instead of ministry.
And so it is with anything we choose to do each day. If I say “yes” to giving in and speaking harshly when upset then I say “no” to teaching my girls how to respond in a Christ-like manner.
If I say “no” to spending time with those people {acquaintance, friend, co-worker, whomever} whose attitude creates bitterness or complaining in my own heart, then I say “yes” to reaching for those who uplift me {and, in turn, I pray that I can uplift them and others!}
But it wasn’t an accident.
There was likely one or two little decisions made that seemed good, but were not made in faith (asking God for His guidance). Thus, this conscious decision NOT to pray about something {or follow God’s leading however} led to their church as a whole leaving the first works {read verse 5} — thou has left thy first love.
9 1/2 years later….
As a challenge to myself, I am CONSCIOUSLY asking God to help me remember that He, indeed, wishes to be part of my everyday life… down to how I respond to spilt milk. And when I say “YES” to His direction…. I am saying “NO” to the folly that will creep in and fill my day otherwise.
{I knew these principles before and have applied them… but every so often I need that kick… you know where… to bring me back. again.}
anyone else there with me?
by tascha
Well, 2 posts in one day.
don’t expect it to happen very often.
*SMILES*
I call this “Far East {inspired} Pasta” because I am not entirely sure if you could actually label it “Chinese” or “Japanese” or anything, really. It has asian flavors: teriyaki & soy sauce, but could be used with Thai flavors or even Americanized with BBQ sauce. And, when it’s made with just vegetables, it is made almost too quickly for pictures (but, really, I didn’t think about posting it ’til it was done).
Recipe:
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
1 bag frozen mixed ‘stir fry’ veggies
1 tsp cooking oil
1/2 c favorite teriyaki sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce + 1/4 c cold water
1 Tbsp corn starch
1/2 – 3/4 c starchy water reserved from the pasta
1 egg
~ cook pasta according to package directions, but about 1 min. short of the ‘al dente’ cooking time, reserve 1/2 c of the water before draining ~ put the pasta back in its pot
~ heat oil in skillet, dump in frozen veggies
~ allow veggies to cook until completely thawed & then crack the egg in the middle and stir till scrambled
~ add teriyaki sauce and soy sauce, turn heat to low at this point
~ mix corn starch & cold water to make a slurry
~ add pasta water, then add the slurry
~ pour veggies and sauce over the pasta and allow to sit over low heat for 5 min to thicken the sauce
~ serve!
garnish with toasted sesame seeds, add meat if you desire, change asian flavors for BBQ sauce or Italian dressing… or not.
I often neglect thinking about supper until it is quite late in the afternoon so these type suppers abound. Really, though, the only thing missing that would have been added had I thought about it earlier is some beef- which needs thawing first.
Right now, I am praising the Lord that my husband even has a job. And we don’t have to live on beans and rice-nothing against beans or rice, we have them frequently, too. But variety is the spice of life, right?
Also, I am enjoying the relative quiet and sweet chatter of sisters playing nicely. together. and I love knowing they will eat this. willingly.
God is only good.
